Repertorio de bailes de palillos.

reprinted with permission, Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association

To get a sense of what fibromyalgia feels like, imagine fibrous webs growing into the soft tissues of your body and tightening around the muscles and nerves. The constrictions cause points of extreme pain that radiate into other areas of your body. Imagine having to rest several times as you struggle to wash the dishes or do laundry and being in too much pain to enjoy a simple conversation. You haven’t had a good night’s sleep in months. You’re exhausted and often depressed.

Fibromyalgia is believed to be an immune system disorder much like lupus, allergies and arthritis. It usually comes on after illness, an accident or extreme and chronic stress. An overreaction to these stressors forces the energy and material bodies into a state of painful contraction, causing extreme and prolonged pain that feels much like being in the worst stages of flu. Sleep is also affected, preventing the body from repairing itself and increasing the problems dramatically. One theory holds that fibromyalgia is actually caused by a sleep disorder that keeps the body from going into deep sleep.

Fibromyalgia can develop in childhood as well as adulthood, and women are much more susceptible than men. There is no known cure; unfortunately, some doctors still believe that fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic illness and consider sufferers hypochondriacs. When I developed the illness 31 years ago, as a 16-year-old high school athlete, it was devastating both physically and emotionally. All the doctors could do was put me in a painful brace and prescribe tranquilizers. Today, physicians treat fibromyalgia with antidepressants and non-addictive pain medication, which is often not enough.

Yoga offers many benefits to those with fibromyalgia. Deep breathing and gentle stretching open up constricted energy. Postures and pranayama increase circulation, oxygen and prana. In addition, yoga lifts the heart and opens us to compassion for ourselves and others.

Summary: Yoga as a strategy for addressing symptoms of Fibromyalgia-- cont’d.

I teach a class for people with fibromyalgia that includes gentle and restorative yoga, meditation, deep relaxation and group support. Here are some of the most important areas to focus on in classes for this population.

Have your students sit with their pain, much like holding a yoga posture. By focusing on the pain, we can begin to loosen up as we let go into sensation and allow ourselves to move and breathe fully. Help your students to rec- ognize the difference between pain and the fear of pain, between stiffness and the fear of movement. Help them to locate tension and relax it, and to appreciate even the most limited physical abilities.

Be patient and creative with modifications for each individual. These students should do as little as possible until they are stronger and have more confidence in their ability. Restorative postures help the body begin to soften; warm-ups and gentle postures move the blood and energy through the many blockages. Use blankets, pillows or other props as needed; some people may have to stay in chairs. Let them do only as much as they care to and encourage them to listen and go through the rest mentally. When they learn that yoga will relieve pain and that they can do less or even rest during class, they’ll be more comfortable coming even on their worst days. Some will eventually be interested in developing a more rigorous practice and can join your more advanced classes.

Breathing exercises should be relaxed and easy. People with fibromyalgia tend to be extremely shallow breathers. It is painful to breathe and each breath reminds them of their condition. The decrease in breath causes more pain and exhaustion. At first, deep breathing can be so intense for fibromyalgia sufferers that it may cause faintness, but that will soon subside. Begin with two- or three-part breath and ujayii breath and move on to alternate nostril pranayama.

Have fresh water available in class and encourage them to drink often. People with fibromyalgia tend to be de- hydrated, which makes the muscle tissue sticky and brittle. The drugs used to treat the illnessmay increase the dryness.

Emotional bonding has a powerful healing effect. The group support model I have used in class involves break- ing up into couples or triples and doing co-active listening. We also come together for potlucks and other forms of social networking.

Be compassionate with your students and yourself. Expect that they will have flare-ups, setbacks and disappoint- ments. They may complain of soreness after even the easiest postures and stretching. Respect their limitations. Don’t be discouraged-just listen carefully and modify. Continue to offer support and understanding. Let go of any ideas you may have about success with this population and keep the process organic and flexible. Enjoy and celebrate even the smallest victories. Yoga may not “cure” fibromyalgia, but with yoga, sufferers can learn to live with the condition and still be functional, joyful and useful members of society.

“I took yoga classes in the past. It helped with anxiety and although I did not 100% under- stand why, I left with a smile on my face. That creates a good reason to do something. I do think it is important to keep active--for everyone no matter what the history.”

(Seminar Participant)

“One...sense I have is that many of the issues, strategies and practices associated with Fi- bromyalgia can be the same kinds of support that can be beneficial in other kinds of pain and stress. Maybe as we highlight and discuss these in a general setting, we can make a positive contribution to the human condition.” (Seminar Participant)

“I was a nurse in newborn intensive care for 17 years, living very much in the Fight or Flight mode. In 1998 (I) started a terrible divorce after years of verbal and some physi- cal abuse. My husband kept me up every night, (I also was working nights 3 X wkly.) This has made sleep difficult for many years. By 2000--(I) was experiencing severe pain, weakness, poor sleeping and poor memory. I have been blessed with a supportive family and fiance though after 8 years our relationship is taking a toll. I try every day to func- tion as “a normal individual”. I have changed jobs 3 X in 6 years to find the right fit. But I pride myself that I have only called in once due to fibromyalgia pain.... I thank God for a wonderful physician...who works hard to keep me going as a normal person. Pain management is #1 for me. I believe that medications used properly can give you a great life and allow you to do the things you want to. Hopefully through more education it will only get better.” (Fibromyalgia Patient)

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